Kit Connor has not confirmed dating anyone in 2026, and multiple entertainment sites agree he keeps personal matters completely off the table. Profiles on Betches and Wikipedia lay out that he publicly identified as bisexual back in October 2022 through a Twitter post, after facing heavy online pressure from Heartstopper viewers.
Those reports explain how accusations of queerbaiting built up when he was photographed holding hands with actress Maia Reficco in Paris around that time, leading fans to question if he was faking his role as Nick Nelson for attention.
Connor called out the harassment directly in his post, pointing to how the show aimed to support queer youth rather than force labels on actors.
That moment became a flashpoint for discussions on celebrity privacy. Coverage from Diva Magazine and Good Morning America notes how the 18-year-old actor stepped away from social media shortly after, describing the experience as unwanted but ultimately freeing in interviews with British Vogue and The Guardian.
He later told outlets that he avoids labels and prefers handling relationships away from public eyes, especially after the backlash made him wary of sharing opposite-sex links. No major publication has reported a steady partner since, with Yahoo and The Tab calling him single as of late 2025 based on his low-key profile.
Fans still circle back to that period because it defined his approach to fame. Heartstopper castmate support poured in via Deadline, but Connor focused on work like Romeo + Juliet opposite Rachel Zegler and the upcoming Heartstopper film, letting roles handle the romance talk.
Rumors That Never Quit: Maia, Shayna And Endless Fan Theories
Speculation about Kit Connor’s dating life runs hot on social platforms, even if credible news stays silent. Instagram and TikTok threads from late 2025 hype a link with model Shayna Locatelli, pointing to supposed sightings in New York, London, and post-awards events where fans claim they appeared close.
Kit Connor (Credit: BBC)
Earlier buzz centered on Maia Reficco from their 2022 project A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow. Reddit discussions and fan accounts recall hand-holding in Paris, Disneyland trips with the Heartstopper crew, and visits like Connor missing the Emmys to see her in Argentina, framing it as a casual, on-off thing that ended by late 2022 or early 2023.
Both denied anything serious, and Reficco moved on publicly, but the photos fed into the queerbaiting fire that pushed his coming-out post.
Those stories highlight a pattern. YouTube recaps and TikTok edits mix Heartstopper clips with pap shots, while fan pages predict 2026 reveals tied to the finale movie wrap.
Mainstream sites like My Imperfect Life and Filmibeat dismiss most as unconfirmed, stressing that Connor’s choice to stay quiet matches his post-backlash stance. Joe Locke rumors got shut down repeatedly as pure friendship.
Privacy Wins In A Gossip Age: Why The Silence Sticks
Kit Connor’s refusal to fuel dating talk carries real weight in queer media circles. Articles from Out and Diva frame his story as a reminder that bisexual actors face extra scrutiny, where any straight-presenting moment gets twisted into betrayal of the community.
He addressed that in a Guardian chat, saying he would handle future relationships more carefully to avoid renewed attacks, a line echoed in 2023 pieces that predicted his low profile. Now, with Heartstopper wrapping as a 2026 film, Netflix Tudum coverage focuses on plot closure for Nick and Charlie, not cast hookups.
The social fallout lingers online. TikTok trends and Instagram reels keep alive “Shayna era” edits or Maia throwbacks, often clashing with defenses of his right to date freely.
Fan groups debate if Locatelli posts signal something real or just proximity, but without his input, it stays guesswork. Vogue and similar outlets note his Broadway stint and film roles pull focus to talent over tabloid bait.
For anyone wondering who Kit Connor dates in 2026, the facts point to no one public: bisexual, single by all accounts, and firm on keeping the rest personal despite the endless scroll of theories.
Rami Malek and Emma Corrin turned heads with their on-off public displays starting back in mid-2023. Fans caught them cozy at a Bruce Springsteen show in London and then shared kisses on dog walks and beach strolls in Kent.
Their bond seemed solid through red carpets like the US Open and Venice Film Festival, even with rumors of a shared London home worth millions.
By early 2025, cracks showed. Reports hit in April claiming the pair parted ways quietly after nearly two years, with sources noting the split happened some time before.
Neither star addressed it head-on, true to their private style, but Malek had called Corrin fascinating in a rare Guardian chat months earlier, praising her quirky surprises like a full Thanksgiving spread. The end aligned with busy schedules, with Corrin promoting Deadpool & Wolverine and Malek on new projects.
Word spread fast on sites like People and Daily Mail, painting a picture of amicable drift rather than drama. Corrin, who uses they/them pronouns and identifies as queer, kept focus on work post-split, including stage runs that set up her next chapter. No bad blood surfaced, just two actors prioritizing careers over headlines.
New Flame Ignites on London Stages
Enter Zachary Hart, the 35-year-old London actor who shares Corrin’s theater roots. They connected during a Barbican production of Chekhov’s The Seagull, which kicked off in April 2025, right after her Malek breakup news.
Paparazzi snapped them in June, strolling North London with Hart’s dog Spencer, loading grocery bags into a car before a quick kiss.
Hart brings stage cred from Stereophonic at the Duke of York’s, where critics praised his tragicomic vibe in a ’70s rock band tale. He popped up on Apple TV+’s Slow Horses, too, blending acting with music pursuits after drama school training.
Emma Corrin (Credit: CNN)
The pair bumped into Benedict Cumberbatch on that dog walk, with Corrin making introductions, signaling comfort in celeb circles.
Details stay slim, fitting Corrin’s guarded approach to personal life. No joint interviews or social media teases, just candid shots building the narrative. Hart’s low profile contrasts with Malek’s Oscar shine, hinting at a grounded match amid Corrin’s rising fame from The Crown to Marvel flicks.
Venice Sights Confirm Couple Status
Fast-forward to September 2025, and the duo surfaces at the Venice Film Festival, riding a water taxi in matching casual fits.
Corrin rocked a tan jacket over a white tee and wide jeans, while Hart sported stripes, loose whites, a cap, and slides, snapping pics of the canals. Outlets like Elle dubbed it a boyfriend outing, cementing months of link-up rumors.
This public step feels deliberate yet chill, away from aggressive paps. Corrin arrived for festival duties, blending work with play, as Hart tagged along without stealing focus. Into 2026, no fresh splits or upgrades were reported, with Corrin eyeing Bond franchise talks as a non-binary lead interest.
Fans speculate on longevity, given Corrin’s history of private flings, like with art director Ibby Njoya years back. Hart’s theater world aligns with her passions, from My Policeman to Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Social media buzz on platforms like Instagram and Reddit keeps the chatter alive, mixing excitement with respect for their space.
The shift from Malek’s intensity to Hart’s subtlety mirrors Corrin’s fluid path, balancing queer identity and blockbuster roles. Recent sightings stay affectionate but rare, fueling curiosity without overload. As awards season looms, expect more peeks, but Corrin holds the reins on what spills out.
